Pupils attending Dereham Church Infant School and Nursery are given a good education and are well prepared to progress to their next school and some teaching is considered to be of an 'outstanding' quality.

Pupils attending Dereham Church Infant School and Nursery are given a good education and are well prepared to progress to their next school and some teaching is considered to be of an 'outstanding' quality.

The 'good' report on the St Withburga Lane school comes from an Ofsted inspection conducted in March. The good teaching promotes positive attitudes to learning and enables pupils to achieve well.

According to the report, standards at the school have been rising since the last inspection in January 2006 and were above average by the end of Year Two in 2008, indicating good progress from their starting points.

'More able pupils now make good progress and this is a significant improvement since the last inspection,' says the report.

The report says that pupils who find learning difficult are doing well and some make significant progress to attain standards that are in line with national expectations by the end of Year Two.

The school benefits from good support staff who contribute to the learning of different groups of pupils.

'As a result, those who fund learning difficult make good progress. Effectively tailored support for beginners in English ensure they achieve well.'

There is a tick for the staff's strong commitment to encouraging pupils' enjoyment and achievement. 'In this nurturing environment, all groups of pupils reach increasingly challenging targets'.

There is also a word of praise for the nursery department which provides a 'rich learning environment where the outdoor area is vibrant and interesting extension of the indoor area.'

In the Foundation stage, pupils are exceptionally well looked after and cared for. 'Their individual needs are identified and addressed promptly'.

The school's leadership and management are considered good with the head, Karen Gay, providing good leadership.

The report, compiled by lead inspector Gulshan Kayembe stated there is much in the school's curriculum that is innovative and vibrant.

'The good focus on developing pupils' creative skills through themes has a positive impact on learning,' it says.

Areas highlighted where there is room for improvement include providing more opportunities for pupils to develop their calculation and problem-solving skills, improve their confidence in mathematics, improve marking so pupils know how well they are doing and how they need to improve and provide more opportunities to learn about different faiths and cultures.